Apranik Records releases compilation in support of women’s rights uprising in Iran

Iranian artists AIDA and Nesa Azadikhah have released a not-for-profit compilation Woman, Life, Freedom focused on the plight of women in their home country, inviting 12 female Iranian artists to record original tracks for its release. 

Throughout their country’s history, Iranian women have been at the forefront of music and performing arts. However, for almost four decades under the Islamic regime, women in Iran have been banned from singing, dancing, and performing whilst facing threats to the safety of themselves and their families, their career and their reputation. 

As a result, female artists are either forced to quit, leave Iran completely, or go underground – putting themselves at further risk. Despite this, Iranian women continue to push boundaries and remain at the forefront of their art at all costs, no matter where they are in the world. 

‘Woman, Life Freedom‘ is dedicated to the recent uprising of people, especially the women in Iran who have endured silencing, censorship, and forced control over the past four decades. The compilation consists of 12 new tracks across electro, breaks, techno, ambient and experimental from Iranian artists including SarrSew, MENTRIX, Sharona Lico and AIDA and Nesa Azadikhah themselves, with many of the tracks either directly addressing or inspired by the current revolution. 

The goal of this project is to raise awareness in the international music community about the bravery, talent, and difficulty of female musicians working under the Islamic Republic’s Regime, as well as the brutal killings of people who have been speaking up since the start of the revolution in September 2022.  

Proceeds from the compilation will go to charities supporting struggling women in Iran. The first selected charity is Saraye Mehr, an organisation that helps women and children recovering from domestic violence, addiction, homelessness, and societal distress in Iran. 

You can grab your copy of the release and support the cause here.